Meri Meri Party Time

This past Friday, I hosted a challah-baking party for my friend who was due to give birth in early June. In the Jewish religion, many believe that baking challah in your ninth month of pregnancy will encourage an easy labor. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy only three days later so perhaps they are right?

This is my third challah-bake, and it is by far my favorite event to host. Although it is somewhat of a baby shower, everyone is able to participate and socialize in a collaborative way, rather than sitting around at tables decorating onesies.

Since it is a more casual (read: messy) event, I went with paper goods in an adorable gender-neutral circus theme. I found these lion cups, scalloped striped plates and confetti napkins by Meri Meri and I was hooked. I usually turn up my nose at anything besides real glass and dishware for serving, but I could have ordered ANY of their dinnerware options. They are thicker than your typical party supply store brand and the patterns are a bit more sophisticated – with whimsical prints and more muted color tones. I am obsessing over their Liberty of London designs for a fall shower that I am throwing.
I rolled the napkins with little blue plastic pacifiers and hung a tassel garland across my center kitchen island. It was a casual yet festive look to help kick off the memorial day weekend.

We ate when the dough was rising, and then returned to braid our bread before dessert. Everyone took home a challah-cover and recipe card with at-home baking instructions.